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Things to Do in the Bronx for Tourists

February 26, 2018 2:03 pm

When planning a trip to New York City, you probably envision popular attractions in Manhattan. Times Square, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty draw millions of people to the Big Apple each year, but there’s a ton of things to do in the Bronx for tourists worth considering for your sightseeing itinerary, too.

Look north of Manhattan to the Bronx where you’ll discover fantastic museums, delicious restaurants, unique cultural experiences and lots of green space. Here are a few of our favorites, including:

The Bronx Zoo

Yankee Stadium

New York Botanical Garden

City Island

Little Italy

Woodlawn Cemetery

Wave Hill

Pelham Bay Park

Bronx Museum of the Arts

Van Cortlandt Park

Free Entry with The New York Pass®

Used by over 3.5 million travelers, the New York Pass is the ultimate sightseeing pass, which includes admission to 90+ attractions, Fast Track Entry at select attractions, a free guidebook, & much more.

New York Botanical Garden

Hailed as one of New York’s crowning glories, the New York Botanical Garden is a feast for the senses.

With more than a million tropical, temperate and desert flora houses on 250 acres, the New York Botanical Garden is among the world’s largest plant research and conservation programs. The garden is opened to visitors year round.

The Bronx Zoo

Did you know the Bronx Zoo is the largest urban zoo in the country? With more than 5,000 animals housed on 265 acres, it’s easy to spend the day here. The grizzly bears and Congo gorillas are fan favorites, but the Wild Asia Monorail and Treetop Adventure and Nature Trek are quite popular experiences, too.

Getting in: The Bronx Zoo tickets are separately ticketed and available for purchase upon arrival.

City Island

A one-and-a-half-mile island that’s reminiscent of a quaint New England fishing village, City Island is definitely worth a visit.

Tons of seafood restaurants are packed onto the island. Grab some fried clams and enjoy your meal while looking at Long Island Sound. and get a better understanding of New York’s maritime history by stopping in the City Island Historical Society and Nautical Museum.

Getting in: City Island is free and open to the public.

Woodlawn Cemetery

Woodlawn Cemetery is the final resting place of hundreds of notable people from all walks of life.

The cemetery is open to the public, and also boasts an arboretum featuring 140 unique species of trees, including 11 that measure more than five feet in diameter.

Getting in: Woodlawn cemetery is free and open to the public.

Yankee Stadium

The current Yankee Stadium opened in 2009, replacing the storied “house that Ruth built.” An Indiana limestone exterior and gate-like frieze along the top pay homage to the original stadium, but interior improvements make watching a game much more comfortable. Tours are offered daily, and there’s a museum on site with baseballs autographed by every living Yankees player.

Little Italy

Mulberry Street in Manhattan may draw most tourists, but Arthur Avenue in the Bronx is where New Yorkers go when they want authentic Italian food. Specialty shops, restaurants, fish markets and bakeries draw people from all boroughs of New York to the Bronx’s Little Italy.

If you want to delve deeper into the area’s history, a guided tour will help you discover the pivotal role Little Italy played in the development of the Bronx.

Bronx Museum of the Arts

One of the youngest museums in the city, the Bronx Museum of the Arts spotlights contemporary American artists, specifically those of African, Asian or Latino ancestry.

Many exhibits address current social or political issues. If you can’t devote an entire day to the museum, stop by the Bronx Museum Community Mural at Bronx Terminal Market.

Getting in: Bronx Museum of the Arts tickets are FREE available upon arrival.

Van Cortlandt Park

If you’re tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, Van Cortlandt Park offers a welcomed respite. With more than 1,000 acres of green space, you’ll find the perfect place for a cross-country run, a picnic or a stroll around a freshwater lake.

The Van Cortlandt House Museum is the oldest standing structure in the Bronx and features exhibits about the family that lived in the home in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Getting in: the Van Cortlandt Park is free and open to the public – admission fees for self-guided tours of the Van Cortlandt House Museum are available for purchase upon arrival.

Pelham Bay Park

Three times larger than Central Park, Pelham Bay Park is the largest public park in NYC and offers 13 miles of shoreline, a golf course, and a museum. At 2,766 acres, the park takes hours to fully explore.

Stop by Orchard Beach, the Bronx’s only public beach, launch a canoe in the park’s lagoon, take a horseback riding excursion or visit the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum for a look at a beautiful Greek Revival dwelling.

Getting in: Pelham Bay Park is free and open to the public. Activities and events may require purchase of admission separately.

Wave Hill Public Garden and Cultural Center

Wave Hill is comprised of an elegant, 19th-century mansion surrounded by lush gardens featuring shaded pergolas, wildflowers and a view of the Hudson River and Palisades. Cultural and educational programming is also offered throughout the year.

Don’t get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Manhattan and overlook the city’s northernmost borough. Visitors to the Bronx are always impressed with the number of unique things to see and do here. From parks to museums to ethnic restaurants, the Bronx has something for everyone!

Getting in: Wave Hill Public Garden and Cultural Center tickets are available for purchase upon arrival. (The park offers free admission occasionally on Saturdays, check their website in advance.)

Remember to Save on Attraction Admission

Some of the fun things to do in the Bronx for tourists mentioned in the article above are included on The New York Pass. Whether you’re interested in going on a guided tour, seeing where the Yankees play, or seeing what’s in bloom at the famous botanical gardens, planning things to do in the Bronx for tourists is easy with The New York Pass.

If you plan on visiting multiple attractions, consider using the New York Pass which grants you free entry to over 90 attractions in New York City. That way you can do more when you sightsee and make the most of your time in New York City.